-Messenger file photo
Santa Claus, played by Tom Bethke, reacts after turning the Christmas lights on at the Gazebo at City Square Park on Nov. 28, 2021. Fort Dodge Mayor Matt Bemrich stands at right.
The merchants of downtown Fort Dodge — and one very important guest — are inviting residents to launch the Christmas season this Saturday.
An event called Merry on Main Street is set for Saturday to help folks shake off more than a day of turkey-induced drowsiness and get into the Christmas spirit.
Merry on Main Street coincides with Small Business Saturday, a nationwide promotion that encourages people to do some holiday shopping at smaller local stores.
For Small Business Saturday, downtown merchants will be offering various promotions.
For shoppers who get downtown early, event organizers will be offering $20 in Merry Money good for purchases with participating retailers. To get their share of that Merry Money people need to get to Green State Credit Union, 1207 Central Ave., between 9 a.m. and 10 a,m, The first 50 people to check in there will get the money.
-Messenger file photo
A tree at Veterans Triangle Park in downtown Fort Dodge is lit up with 1,000 lights in 2020. The tree was lit during a ceremony on Nov. 23, 2020.
The local observance of Small Business Saturday is sponsored by Main Street Fort Dodge, Green State Credit Union, and the Fort Dodge Convention & Visitors Bureau.
On Saturday evening a very important guest from the North Pole will arrive to help launch the Christmas season in Fort Dodge.
Santa Claus and Mayor Matt Bemrich will meet on the City Square at 4:30 p.m. to turn on the holiday lights there.
Then at 5 p.m. they will head down the street to Veterans Park at Central Avenue and 12th Street, where they will light the towering Christmas tree there.
Santa’s work will not be finished with the tree lighting, however.
At 5:30 p.m., he will move to The Dariette, 17 S. 12th St., where he will greet people at the drive-thru window until 7 p.m.
The lighting events will be sponsored by Main Street Fort Dodge, The Dariette and the Fort Dodge Convention & Visitors Bureau.
If You Go
What: Merry on Main Street
Where: Downtown Fort Dodge
When: 9 a.m., Merry Money Giveaway, Green State Credit Union, 1207 Central Ave.
4:30 p.m. Gazebo lighting, City Square
5 p.m., tree lighting, Veterans Park, Central Avenue and 12th Street
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m , Santa greets people at The Dariette, 17 S. 12th St.
